Page 88 of Sun, Moon & Shadow

Nova glanced at Evander, expecting him to refute Callan’s assessment of his sister’s skills, but he was busy studying them.

“So . . . the two of you are fu—”

“Yes,” Callan interrupted before his cousin could say something crass. He wrapped his arm around Nova’s waist. “We’re together.”

Her heart fluttered at the word.

“About time,” Lucan chimed in. Inserting himself into the conversation, he fixed Evander with an appraising stare. “You’d have to be a complete idiot to miss the way these two have been pining for one another.”

Evander smirked and clasped his hands behind his back.

“And how did you know?” Nova asked Lucan.

“Wolves have a nose for these things.” He shrugged, shooting Callan a sly look.

Nova raised an eyebrow at Callan, but he only shook his head.

Just then, a servant entered the library, announcing the arrival of additional visitors. As the servant stepped aside, Arik strode through the door. A dozen Nivalian warriors, a mix of males and females, filed in behind him. Each one stood as tall and solid as a stone column. All were outfitted with thick brown leather armor, some carrying swords, others with axes hanging from their belts. Callan embraced his oldest friend.

Nova would never understand how Callan could doubt his own valor and the devotion his folk felt toward him. These warriors had crossed into what was considered enemy territory without hesitation, simply because he’d called for their aid.

Introductions were made all around, the usually silent library alive with voices.

“Excuse me!” Fawn called out, clapping her hands loudly. “I believe time is of the essence. Perhaps Cal should explain why he’s summoned us all here with such urgency.”

The room quieted with everyone listening intently and occasionally asking questions as Callan explained their predicament. Lucan, Nox, and Nova interjected from time to time with additional information. Once everyone had been briefed on the growing threat to not only Silvergard but all the territories of Aemoria, Callan laid out the strategy the four of them had devised earlier.

With only fifty or so soldiers encamped along the Gloaming Sea, a small group of well-trained warriors could conceivably take the enemy by surprise and corner them with their backs against the water.

Evander would lead a small group of Silvergardian archers to higher ground and mount an attack from above with Schadwen Mountain providing a suitable vantage point. The Nivalian warriors, led by Arik and Lucan, would surround the encampment and engage in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy soldiers on the ground. Fawn would incinerate any stockpiled weapons and supplies stored at the camp, while Nova and Callan located and dealt with General Idrian.

“I realize this isn’t your fight,” Nox said. “The Lunar Court has likely given you all far more reason to abandon it than to risk your lives in defense of it. But the simple fact is, we need your help.”

“We can’t do this alone,” Nova added.

“I wish we had more time to prepare, but every passing hour is an opportunity for the general to gather more support for his cause.” Callan paused to look over the faces of those gathered. “Are you with us?”

It was Arik who spoke first. “Until my last breath, my friend.” He placed his fist over his heart in salute. The rest of the warriors did the same.

“Anything for the Realm,” Fawn said, wrapping an arm around Nova’s neck.

Guilt churned in the pit of Nova’s stomach. They had decided to omit the detail about her being Omen’s daughter, only sharing that she had been abducted by Idrian to be used as leverage against Nox, leaving the others to draw their own conclusions.

All eyes wandered to Evander lounging casually on the sofa, one ankle resting atop his opposite knee.

“I can hardly stay behind since my little sister has agreed to fight,” he sighed. “Besides, I’d never let the rest of you have all the fun.”

Cheers erupted, and everyone rose to their feet as Callan and Lucan rattled off instructions for last-minute preparations before their swift departure. Nox took Nova by the hand and led her away from the others and into his study, closing the door behind them.

“I mean no disrespect by what I’m about to say,” he began, and she steeled herself. “But I would prefer that you stay behind.”

“You know I can’t.”

“Nova, I can’t bear the thought of you putting yourself in harm’s way. Not when we just got you back. You could go somewhere safe until the threat has been dealt with,” he said, laying his hands on her shoulders. “The Temple of Illora, perhaps.”

Her mother had said Omen would never find her hidden behind the powerful magic that guarded the temple. But Nova had told her mother she was through hiding, and she meant it.

“These are my people, too. Every one of them under threat of death or being pressed into an existence they would never choose. I have to fight for them.”